Cash register



Feb. 15, 1944.

"J. J. KL OSTERMAN CASHREGISTER Filed Sept. 30, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet l Jotepil .l mam Inventor His Attorney Feb. 15, 1944.

-.1. J. KLOSTERMAN v 2,342,082

CASH REGISTER Filed Sept. 30, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 V Fl .2 59 58 54 -5 5 35 r35 H5 G 5,5

42 i f 2 '42 I, 36 J i H m a r? Joseph J. Klontermmn Inventor I y @mLQm/ His Attorney J. J. KLOSTERMAN CASH REGISTER Filed Sept. 30, 1940 Feb. 15, 1944.,

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR JOSEPH J. KLOSTERMAN, DECEASED HIS ATTORNEY Feb. 15,

J. KLOSTERMAN CASH REGISTER Filed Sept. 30, 1940 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Joseph J. Kloltermln FIG. 15

THE JOHN v ANYWHE DOE CO.

Inventor Hi: Attornev Patented Feb.15,1944

CASH REGISTER Joseph J. Klosterman, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The National Cash Register Company, Dayton. Ohio, a corporation of Maryland Application September so, 1940, Serial No. 359,047

2 Claims. (01. 101-297) This invention relates to printing mechanism for cash registers and like machines, and more particularly pertains to mechanism for printin checks or receipts.

The invention is disclosed as embodied in the key operated type of machine such as that shown in the United States Letters Patent No. 2,279,805 issued to Frank R. Werner on April 14, 1942, and in the application of Daniel K. Hughes for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 273,231, filed May 12, 1938, which application issued into Patent No. 2,338,942 on January 11, 1944.

An object of the invention is to provide a printing mechanism-of unitary structure that may bodily be placed in or removed from the machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel means to connect and disconnect the printer unit driving means with and from the main operating means of the embodying machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for adjusting the timing and strength of the impression means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel tripping mechanism for the hammer operating means.

. Another object of the invention is to provide means to lock the paper compression rolls in effective or ineffective position.

Another object of the-invention is to provide means whereby a single resilient member is used to actuate the hammer driving means and to cushion the hammer driving means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel means to lock the printing hammer after an' impression has been made to prevent a rebound of the printing hammer, thus preventin more than one impression duringan operation of the printing mechanism.

With these and incidental objects in view, the invention includes certain novel features of cn struction and combinations of parts, the essential elements of which are set forth in appended claims and a preferred form or embodiment of which is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification.

0f said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a vertical section throughthe machine, with certain parts omitted, showing the main operating means, the type wheel setting means, and the hammer rebound preventer.

Fig. 2 is a front view of the key operated differential means and lateral transmission means.

The broken oil key lever ends are shown in plan view for identification.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the receipt printer unit with certain parts broken away.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the structure shown in Fig. 3 with the paper, paper feed; and impression mechanism removed.

Fig. 5 is a detail of the dollar" printing wheel.

Fig. 6 is an elevation of the lock-lever and the shaft which it'difierentially operates.

Fig.7 is an elevation of a portion of the left side mechanism of the receipt printer unit 'showing the printer driving means andthe disabling means for the driving means.

Fig. feed drive shaft and the means for controlling its movement.

Fig. 9 is'a detail of the locking mechanism for the paper feed drive shaft.

Fig. 10 is a frontview of the paper feed mechanism, partly in section.

Fig. 11 is a right elevation of a portion of the right side mechanism of the receipt printer unit. Fig. 12 is a detail of the consecutive number counter.

' Fig. 13 is a detail of the mechanism setting the consecutive number counter.

Fig. 14 is a detail of the hammer operatin mechanism.

Fig. 15 is a facsimile of the receipt issued by the machine.

Fig. 16 is a detail of the ink ribbon drive. Fig. 1'! is a detail of the P per compression rolls.

Fig. 1a is a detail of the printing hammer trip pawl and the adjustment therefore.

General description for re- 23 (Fig. 1) having forwardly projecting fins 24 in which are rotatabl mounted lateral transmission shafts 25, 25, 21, 28 and 29 (Figs. 1 and 2).

On a key lever support shaft 30 (Fig. 1) journaled between frame plates and 2| (Fig. 2) are mounted a series ofkey levers. such as key levers 3| and 32 (Fig. 1). These key levers are- 8 is a detail, partly in section, of the paper rockable on shaft 39 between home position as determined by a stop bar 33 and the full operated position determined by a stop bar, not shown, but which is like the stop bar 58 shown in Fig. 2 f the above-mentioned patent No. 2,279,805.

The key levers (Fig. 2) are divided into groups, the keys of each group representing a denomination of value, a. department, or other transaction data grouping, each of the groups of keys being associated with, and differentially operating, one of the lateral transmission shafts 25, 26, 21, 28, and 29. The 5 key operates shaft 28, the group of {(10, (C15,!) (120,) ((25,), (30,) 35,, (40,) ((45,!) (50,) '55,. 60),, [65, '70,. '75,. (80;) (85,! and 90 operate shaft 21, the group of keys 1, and NS operate shaft 26; the key "P0 operates shaft 25, and key II operates shaft 29.

Associated with each shaft 25 to 29 is a driving segment 35 (Figs. 1 and 2), rotatably mounted on the rod 22 and supporting, on a lower arm thereof a universal rod 36, engageable by cam slots 31 (Fig. 1) cut in the associated keys according to their value. Upon a key of any group being depressed, its driving segment is moved a distance corresponding to the shape of the cam slot, which motion is transmitted to the associated lateral transmission shaft 25 to 29 by a toothed arm 4| of the driving segment. On the lateral transmission shaft, associated with a group of keys and the driving segment differentially actuated thereby in alinement with and meshed with the toothed arm 4|, is fastened a driven gear 42 (Fig. 2) which serves to rotate the associated shaft differentially. v

Near the right end of each lateral transmission shaft in alinement with the check printer unit to be described is a driven gear for setting the associated type wheel of the check printer. The driven gears 50, 5|, 52, 53, and 54 (Fig. 2) are mounted on shafts 29, 28, 21, 26, and 25 respectively and drive the toothed type wheel setting segments 55, 56, 51, 58, and 59 respectively (Figs. 2 and 4), which are rotatably mounted on rod 22 (see also Fig. 1).

The printer frame The printer is built in a. unit that is bodily removable from the machine. A left frame plate 60 (Figs. 1, 3, and 4) and a right frame plate 6| are joined by printer cross rods 62 and 63 (Fig. 4). Each of the frame plates 60 and GI (Figs. 1 and 11) has two claws which grip cross rods 22 and 69 supported by the main side frames 20 and 2| of the machine. A hook 65 (Fig. 11) pivoted on a cross rod 66 journaled in the printer frames 69 and 6| is adapted to engage the rod 22 to hold the printer unit in place. Counter-clockwise rotation of hook 65 from the position shown in Fig. 11 releases the printer unit for removal from the machine. A spring 61 normally holds the hook 65 in looking position.

The type wheels The type wheels are mounted on shaft 68 (Figs. 1 and 4.) and consist of five type wheels 69, 19, 11, 12, and 13 (Fig. 4) representing respectively the 5 key, the tens digit keys from to 90 inclusive, the dollar and NS" keys, the PO key, and the II key. Each of these type wheels has integral therewith a pinion 84 by which it is driven by the segments 55, 56, 51, 56, and 59 in the manner shown in Fig. 1, where, for example, segment 58 is shown having a forwardly extending toothed arm 14 engaging and driving an intermediate gear 15 rotatably mounted on a shaft 16 supported between the printer fram'e plates. Gear 15 in turn drives the pinion 84 which is integral with the type wheel 1|. The type wheels 69, 10, 12, and 13 are driven by their respective differentially set segments in the same manner. Therefore, during an operation of the machine. these difierentially set type wheels are moved from their home position to the position determined by the shape of the cam slot of the depressed key.

Type wheel 69 presents a zero to the printing line when in the home position and is moved to present a 5 to the printing line when the "5 key is depressed. Whenever a key in the group from 10 to 90 and ending in a "5 is depressed, it actuates a coupling bar 11 (Figs. 1 and 2) which actuates the "5 key in a manner well known in the art and fully disclosed in the Werner patent to which attention has been directed. Each key in the group from 10 to 90" also positions the type wheel 10 to print the necessary tens digit. The type wheel 10 presents a zero to the printing line when in home position. Type wheel 1| presents a zero to the printing line in home position. When the 1, 2, or 3 key is depressed, it presents the corresponding digit to the printing line (Fig. 5). When the "NS key, representing a no-sale" transaction, is depressed, the sixth position of the type wheel which bears a zero" 85 is presented to the printing line. This type wheel 1| is positioned by segment 58 driven by pinion 53 on shaft 26 which is turned to the sixth position by having the cam slot in the "NS key the same contour as if it were representing six dollars.

Indicating mechanism such as that shown and described in the above-mentioned Werner patent may be used to visibly indicate the items entered into the machine.

The group of type wheels (Fig. 4) comprise a resettable consecutive number counter wherein one is added into the units type wheel each time the printer is operated. This consecutive number device, a detail of which is shown in Fig. 12, is of conventional design and consists of four type wheels representing the units, tens, hundreds, and thousands denominations of the decimal system. Unit entries are made by turning the units wheel one step each time the printer drive shaft 9| (Fig. 12) is rocked, in a manner to be explained, first counterclockwise then clockwise. As shaft 9| rocks, a cam plate 92, secured thereto and having a slot 93 engaging a stud 94 on an arm of yoke 95, pivotally mounted on shaft 68, causes the yoke 95 to rock first clockwise then counterclockwise each time the printer operates. Each of the counter wheels has integral therewith a toothed wheel 96 having a notch for each digit represented on the'periphery, one of said notches 91 being deep. 0n yoke 95 is mounted a. differentially tined pawl 98 (Figs. 12

and 4) which is rockable on its supporting shaft 99 (Fig. 12) mounted in the arms of yoke 95 and normally held by a spring I99 so that tine l9! (Fig. 4) engages the ratchet of the units wheel, which wheel is thereupon driven one step on the rocking of yoke 95. As time |0| encounters the deep notch, the next shorter tine I02 drives the ratchet associated with the tens wheel one step, thus accomplishing a. denominational transfer. As this construction is the old and well known deep notch transfer mechanism no further description will be necessary, reference being made to United States Letters Patent, No. 1,932,621, issued to Charles W. Green, for further details of such a transfer mechanism. As seen in Fig. 12, the motion of the counter wheels is clockwise. Each counter wheel has mounted thereon, by means of a stud, a pawl I03 held in contact with shaft 68 by a spring. A notch in the shaft will be ridden over by the pawls as the counter wheels are turned by cam 92. If shaft 68 is turned clockwise the notch will positively engage the pawl, and the counter wheels, upon further turning of shaft 68, may be picked up and turned back to zero. Referring to Fig. 13, the shaft 68 has pinned to its right end a pinion I05 (also see Fig. 4) engaged by a toothed segment I06 rotatably mountedon shaft 9I. Segment I06 is connected to a reset lever I01, rotatably mounted on stud I08 secured to the right frame of the printer, by a link I09, so that as lever I01 is rocked counter-clockwise the shaft 68 will be given its clockwise resetting motion. On return of lever I01 to home position the rotation of shaft 68 has no effect on the counter wheels as they each are held against retrograde movement by a spring positioned pawl, like pawl IIO (Fig. 12), in conventional manner.

Referring again to Fig. 13, the lever I01 may not be moved from home position unless stud III on an arm of bell crank lever II2 is out of a notch in lever I01 in which notch it is held by spring II2I. Shaft H3 is differentially rotatable by lever I I4 (Fig. 6) which lever is rotatably supported on stud II5. Shaft'II3 has fastened thereto a cam H6 (Fig. 13) having a high and a low surface cooperating with the rear- ,wardly extending arm of hell crank lever II2,

so that the lever H2 is held counter-clockwise to hold stud III in the notch of lever I01 when the cam is positioned as shown, but releases the stud III so it can becammed out of the notch when the low surface of cam H6 i presentedto lever H2. This low part of the cam is in the release position when control lever II4 (Fig. 6) is in the "read or reset position as indicated.

Referring to Fig. 4, the left three type wheels on shaft 68 are date wheels and are individually set by manipulative toothed wheels I20 through intermediate gears I2I, said gears I2I being rotatably mounted on a stud supported by frame plate 60, and wheels I20 being rotatably supported on shaft I22 extending between printer frame plates 60 .and 6|. l

Paper feed mechanism Referring to Fig. '7, a paper roll I30 rests on a curved plate I3I, the rear end of which is turned over a rod I32 supported between the frame plates 60 and 6|, and the front end of which has claws, one claw I33 being shown, gripping rod I34 supported between the frame plates 60 and BI. The front of the plate is formed into a paper jchute I35 through which the paper strip I36 is carried over the type wheels and between the paper feed rolls I31 (Fig. and the compression rolls I38.

' The compression rolls I38 are carried rotatably I46 attached to the yoke I42. A spring I41 hold the claw I4I against shaft I39, which in turn' holds the shaft I39 against claws I40. If the compression rolls are moved toward the paper by rocking the yoke they resiliently meet the paper strip and hold it against the feed rolls. An arm I48 (Fig. 'l) is pivotally mounted on yoke arm I44 at one end, and has a finger piece I49 and a locking arm I50 at the other end. Arm I50 has arcuate surfaces I5I- and I52 adapted to engage stud I53 supported by frame plate 6I. Surface I5I locksthe yoke I42 in closed position and,- as shown by the broken lines, surface I52 locksthe yoke I42 .in open position for the free insertion of the paper strip. Fastened to plate, I46 (Figs. 3 and 1'1) is a serrated tear-off knife I58.

Referring to Fig. l, the printing platen I54 is carried as a yoke by two arms I55 and I (see Figs. 3 and 18) rotatably mounted on rod I34, the right arm I55 havihgprojecting therefrom a stud I56. As arm I44 is rocked back on the opening of the paper feed compression rolls the surface Il45'thereon strikes stud I56. and carries the printing hammer away from the type to clear the path for paper insertion.

Referring to Figs. 8, 9, and 10, the paper feed rolls I31 are pinned to a shaft I51 journaled in bushings I6I and I62 fastened in the frame plates.

60 and BI. Fastened to shaft I51 is a ratchet I63 which cooperates with the pawl I64, pivoted on stud I65 projecting from printer frame 60 and resiliently held by spring I66 against the ratchet to prevent counter-clockwise movement of the shaft I51. A second pawl I61, pivotally mounted on the main drive shaft 9I of the printer, cooperates with the ratchet I63 to prevent clockwise movement of shaft I51. The lower'end of spring I66 holds ,pawl I61 resiliently against ratchet I63, but the pawl I61 is pushed away to ineffective position by stud I68 (Fig. '1), mounted on toothed segment I69 secured to the main drive shaft 9|. The segment is rocked clockwise, thus freeing the shaft I51 for clockwise movement, as segment I69 nears the end of its clockwise movement during the first half of the machine operation, as actuated by a link I10 pivoted thereto.

The link I10is given a forward movement, that is, to the right as shown in Fig. 7, as the key coupler "I (see also Fig. l) is raised upwardly by depression of any key, and said link is given a backward movement; that is, to the left as shown' in Fig. '1, as the key and key coupler are returned to home position. The movement of the key coupler is transmitted to-link I10 by means of a plate I12 rotatably mounted on the key coupler shaft I13 and having a claw hooked over the free end of the key coupler which plate carries 'a stud I14 to which is hooked link I10. Pinion I15 (Fig. 8) loosely mounted on shaft I51 is driven first counterclockwise (Fig. 7) and then clockwise as segment I69 makes its oscillatory movement. On the counter-clockwise movement the pinion rotates freely on the shaft. I51, but o th clock- ,wise movement a pawl I16 (Fig. 8) pivoted on a plate I60 integral with pinion I16 engages the broken rim I11 of flanged plate I18 secured to shaft I51, thereby rotating shaft I51 clockwise (Fig. 8) to carry the paper strip forward. The forward movement of the paper strip occurs after mid-cycle, at which point the printing impression is made. Thisfeed mechanism is-unidirectionah prevents retrograde motion of the paperstrip, and determines the exactamount of paper advance on each machine operation.

I then counter-clockwise as viewed from Disabling mechanism for the main drive A slot I8I (Fig. 7) in link I18 accommodates a stud I82 on one arm of. a bell crank lever I83 pivotally mounted on the main drive shaft 9|. The other arm of lever I83 supports a stud I84 which isaccommodated in a cam slot I85 in a link I86 slidably mounted by means of slot I81 and I88 on shafts 9| and H3 respectively. For- ,ward movement of link I86 to the position shown in Fig. 7, causes counter-clockwise rocking of bell crank lever I83 and engagement of link I18 with stud I14, rendering the paper feed drive effective. Rearward movement of link I86, from the position shown in Fig. 7, rocks b'ell crank lever I83 clockwise and disconnects link I18; from stud I14. Link I86 may be moved forward or backward only when the broken away part I98 of a flange on wheel I89, secured on shaft H3, is presented to stud I9I. The opening I98 is arranged to be opposite stud I 9| only when the lock lever II4 (Fig. 6) is positioned in the read or reset position, by means heretofore described.

An on and off manipulative member I92 (Figs. 4 and 7) secured to shaft I22 rocks said shaft clockwise as seen in Fig. 7 when in the off position and counter-clockwise when in the on position, which rocking movement, through arm I93 secured to shaft I22 and through stud I23, accommodated in slot I24 in link I86, moves said link to disconnect or connect the paper feed mechanism from or to the key coupler I1I.

Ribbon mechanism A conventional ink ribbon-ink ribbon supporting and driving means are supplied, so that the ribbon may be positioned and fed between the type wheels and the paper strip. The ink ribbon spools I94 and I95 (Figs. 3 and 11) are mounted on rotatable spindles I96 and I 91 supported by auxiliary plates fastened to the frame plates. Spindle I91 is constantly driven step by step in one direction by means of gear I98 and a driving link I99, which has a tooth for engaging the teeth on gear I98, which link is given a reciproeating motion by being pivoted .to an arm of a ,cam plate 288 pinned to drive shaft 9|. Spring 28I holds the driving tooth of link I99 against the gear I98, and as plate 288 oscillates first counter-clockwise then clockwise (Fig. 11), the gear I98 is driven one step counter-clockwise as viewed from the front of the machine. The takeup spool I95 is frictionally driven by spindle I 91 and unless the ink ribbon is pulled in an unwinding direction by the other spool I94, take-up spool I95 will impositively tend to wind the ribbon on itself, keeping it taut. The other-spindle I96 is positively driven first in one direction and then in the other direction by ribbon reversing mechanism like that shown in United States Letters Patent, No. 1,628,164, issued to W. E. Lippert, to which reference is hereby made. The drive for the spindle I96 is taken from printer drive shaft 9I (Fig. 16) to which is attached a slotted cam plate 282 which, on oscillation of shaft 9|, rocks bell crank lever 283, pivoted to stud 285 on auxiliary frame plate 284, first counter-clockwise, then clockwise, which in turn by slot connection to stud 288 rocks drive plate 281 first clockwise, the front.

Thus the ribbon is wound and unwound by spool I94 (Fig. 3), the tension of the ribbon being maintained accurately by the friction of spool I95 on spindle I91, which is constantly tur ng in one direction with an excess of angular velocity.

. Type alining mechanism Referring to Fig. 11, the plate 288, which is rocked first counter-clockwise and then clockwise each machine operation, has a cam slot which cooperates with a stud 288 on the right arm of a rockable yoke 289 mounted on shaft 2I8 supported between frame plates 68 and GI. As seen in Fig. 1 the shaft 2I8 also has rockably mounted thereon alining pawls 2, which are resiliently mounted, relative to yoke 289, each being limited in movement clockwise, relative to yoke 289, by ashoulder 2I2 engaging yoke 289 and being rockable counter-clockwise against the tension of spring 2I3. As yoke 289 is rocked toward the type setting gears 15, the alining pawls are resiliently forced in the same direction to accurately position the type by engaging alining teeth 255. This alining action is imparted to the yoke by cam plate 288 at'the middle of the machine operation just prior to, the time the hammer impression is made.

Printing hammer drive As the segment I69 (Fig. 14) is driven first clockwise and then counter-clockwise, its motion is transmitted by link 2I4 (see also Fig. 18) to lever 2I5' loose on rod I34. A bell crank tri ger lever 2I6, having loosely journaled in it a stud 228 and pivoted to the top of lever 2I5, is normally held by spring 2I1 against set screw 2I8 mounted on a second bell crank lever 2I9 secured to stud 228. The forwardly extending arm 22I of bell crank lever 2I9 has a roller stud 222 which is guided by cam slot 223'in a link 224 pivoted to lever 2I5 by stud 225 at one end and pivoted at the other end to a stud 226 on a lever 221 :pivotally mounted on stud 228 in the left printer frame 68. The cam slot 223 is so shaped that, as lever 2| 5 is rocked counter-clockwise, levers 2I9 and 2I6 are rocked slightly counterclockwise in relation to lever 2 I5. The hammer yoke arms I68 and I55 (see also Fig. 3), lever 2I5, and a hammer drive lever 231 are all mounted on rod I34. As lever 2I5 is rocked counter-clockwise, a-shoulder 238 on the rearwardly extending arm of bell crank trigger lever 2I6. which shoulder engages a bent over portion 229 of lever 231 and rests in notch 23I of printing hammer arm I68, forces the printing hammer to rock counter-clockwise around rod I34 against the increased tension of a spring v232 fastened to stud 233 on lever 221 at one end and to stud 234 pivoted on lever 235 at the other .end. Spring 236 always holds the printing hammer arm rocked counter-clockwise against the bent over portion 229 of lever 231 until the inertia of the printing movement of the hammer on its release, after being cocked, overcomes the strength of spring 236, whereupon the hammer is allowed to overthro by the distance 288 (Fig. 18), against the paper. To continue with the cooking of the printing hammer, as lever 2I6 moves relatively to lever 2I5 due to the action of cam slot 223, the shoulder 238 slips off the bent over portion 229 and spring 232 rock the hammer forcefully in a clockwise manner, which movement continues until the end of the overthrow, as explained. Shoulder 239 on lever 235 strikes stud 248 on the overthrow of the hammer and cushions the shock as the hammer hits the paper by stretching spring 232. At the end of the hammer blow, spring 23 rocks the hammer the setting of the type.

' gagement with back to home position so the platen i slightly off the paper. By turning set screw 2", the

- timing of the hammer How may be varied so as to coincide exactly with the completion of It will'be apparent that spring 232 is energized by being stretched by moving forces applied at either end, one of which forces is utilized in efiecting, the hammer blow and the other of which feeds the paper and returns the parts to normal,

It is to be noted also, that pring 232 furnishes the means for efiecting the hammer blow and for cushioning the hammer blow as shoulder 239 I strikes stud 240.

Hammer rebound presenter 24!, when in the position shown in Figs l and 1 1, preventing the printing overthrow movement of the printing hammer. By rocking pawl 24lcounter-clockwise slightly, the bent over portion 244 is removed from the path of the bentover portion 240! freeing the hammer for overthrow movement. As the printing hammer is rocked back toward cocked position, stud I56 strikes extension 245,'thus rocking the pawl 2 counterclockwise to ineffective position. is locked in said ineflective position by step 246 on pawl 242 engaging the lower side of portion 244. The pawl 242 is urged counter-clockwise into its locking position by spring 241 extending between pawls 24! and 242.

As the hammer is tripped, the bent over portion 240! strikes the surface 2.48 of pawl 242, thus rocking pawl 242 clockwise to withdraw shoulder 246 from ennt over portion 244 on pawl 2 and unlatching wi 24!. Before pawl 2 can become effective, by reason of its inertia,'bent over portion 240i has passed forward under the bent over portion 244 and the platen strikes the paper.

The pawl 2n Fig. 1 shows the printer unit mounted within the machine cabinet 24!. A lid 2", hinged by bracket 2 to a cabinet supported stud 242, is provided for access to the printer unit. for manipulating the "on" and oil? lock, the date wheels, and the counter reset lever, and for removing and inserting paper rolls. A lock 2" is provided to prevent the lid from being opened by any one not in possession of a key. An aperture 254 is provided in the lid forthe issuance of the paper strip.

While the form of mechanism herein shown and described is admirably adapted to fulfill the objects primarily stated, it is to be understood that it is not intended to confine the invention to the one form or embodiment herein disclosed,

for it is susceptible oi embodiment in various forms all coming within the scope of the which follow.

claims What is claimed is: Q I

1. In a printer for a machine of the class detion; means operated by. the main operatins 3 means to cock the hammer against the urge of the resilient means; means actuated by the main operating means to release the hammer ,to the action of the resilient means. said cockinmmeans being returned to home position by the resilient means simultaneously with the movement 0! the hammer to impression position and the releasing means returned to home position by the operating means; means intermediate the cockin means and resilient means; and a stud against which the intermediate means strikes as the cocking means nears home position, the shock oi the cooking means being returned to home position being absorbed by an increased tension in the resilient means, said increased tension developed by the intermediate means striking the stud.

2. In a printing mechanism, the combination of a hammer; a main operating means; means intermediate the operating means and the ham- -mer and movable with the hammer to cock and release the hammer; resilient means to actuate the hammer upon release thereof; a flexible-coupling between said resiiientmeans and the intermediate means, said resilient means being tensioned by the main operating means through the intermediate means and the flexible cou- As the hammer retracts by reason of spring 236 'pling means; and a stop member against which the flexible coupling means strikes, causing the resilient means to be tensioned as the Zintermediate member returns .to home position with the hammer, thus cushioning the intermediate means against shock.

JOSEPH J. KLOS'I'EBMAN. 

